New York’s Orthodox Jews back Cuomo even though they detest him …
… because they detest Mamdani much much more.
Why don’t they back Sliwa? They know he has no chance, and they don’t want to waste their votes.
More:
Community groups and local leaders issued a joint announcement backing Cuomo, saying, “We believe it is essential to speak with one voice at this critical time.”
“We are deeply concerned about the direction that mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani would take our city,” the statement said, citing Mamdani’s statements about police, his past support for the phrase “globalize the intifada,” and his “socialist policies that we believe would create chaos” and put their communities at risk.
Signees included the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance, the Association of Crown Heights Shuls, the Staten Island Jewish Coalition, the Queens Jewish Alliance, and Crown Heights United, and several local community leaders.
On Monday, two other Jewish groups, Crown Heights United PAC and the Sephardic Community Federation, also endorsed Cuomo.
The Orthodox community is overwhelmingly Republican; I’ve read figures around 85%. It may just be one of the most Republican demographics in the US. But in New York City, Sliwa hasn’t a chance. Why do the Orthodox not like Cuomo? During the COVID years, he targeted and criticized them, among other things. But Mamdani is absolutely horrendous and has driven them to the Cuomo side.
And speaking of Jews, tonight is the beginning of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance. It is probably the most solemn day of the year for Jews. It’s not customary to wish Jews a Happy Yom Kippur, but rather, to wish them an easy fast.
How Gaza Arabs say “have an easy fast”:
https://x.com/IDF/status/1973467238889140581
Hamas’ answer to the Trump plan is due by Sat. Oct 4th (going by Trump’s 3 to 4 days requirement issued yesterday, Tues morning). Happily, I believe, whether accepting or refusing, Hamas loses. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Never was a pickle more deserved.
Why don’t they back Sliwa? They know he has no chance, and they don’t want to waste their votes.
Does this make numerical sense? They can’t elect Cuomo with their numbers no matter if they are 100% Republican, so they are “throwing their vote away” regardless. All Jews together make up 12% of New York City’s population. I don’t have better figures than national ones but about 10% of American Jews identify as Orthodox, even if NYC’s Jews are 25% Orthodox they’d only be 3% of the electorate.
So I’m not understanding the electoral logic of “not wanting to throw their vote away”. They can’t swing the election by their own numbers, can they?
An easy fast to all Jewish readers here.
Sure they can swing the election assuming it is swingable in the first place. Cuomo is behind so if he is able to win it would likely be by a narrow margin where every vote counts.
I like Sliwa, but it’s time for him to bow out.
Niketas:
Yes, Orthodox Jews can do math.
It makes as much sense as any other group or any other person deciding to vote for someone who’s currently behind in the polls. They want to add to Cuomo’s total and give him the best possible chance. Plus there are quite a few more weeks before the election. The hope is that Cuomo’s momentum will build.
I tried to wish for “an easy fast” using Hebrew characters, but it didn’t work, so I’ll just stick with English. Tzom Kal to one and all. (Yes, I know it’s a bit late, but it’s the best I can do.)
Terror attack on Yom Kippur outside a synagogue in Manchester, England, today; two dead, three injured, attacker killed by police. A member of the public prevented the killer from entering the synagogue, so it’s not clear at this time who the victims are. I can readily guess the ethnic identity of the murderer.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/uk-stabbing-vehicle-attack-injures-4-outside-synagogue-police-say
No point discussing which group will be or not be voting for Mamdani, because he will be the next mayor of NYC.
Cuomo has a better chance of winning the Powerball Lottery than becoming mayor.
And Sliwa (who I would vote for if I lived in NYC, and thank god I moved away from NYC years ago) has a better chance of winning the Powerball and MegaMillions in the same week than becoming mayor.
More details at the Daily Mail, with photos of the attacker wearing an apparent suicide belt and a “hero” rabbi.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15155335/Police-rush-scene-reported-stabbing-synagogue.html
Checking news this morning to find a muslim murderer kills two Jews and badly injures others by means of a car ramming and subsequent stabbing attack outside a Manchester England shul. Police arrive on scene and eventually shoot the attacker dead, apparently believing he was wearing a bomb vest.
https://x.com/Ostrov_A/status/1973694184751309196
Headline and brief video at link.
The realistic alternative to the Dem who wins the Dem primary is the Republican. If NYC voters want a terrible socialist instead of a Rep, that’s who they’ll get.
I used to vote, and even ran as a, Libertarian. Such votes show adherence to principles as more important than winning. Plus, if it’s really close, the loser might adopt some of the most popular policies of the third party.
H Ross Perot in 1992 was against globalization and immigration, it was smart of Clinton to verbally oppose illegal alien benefis in the 90s.
The Jews, and far more folk in NY, should vote for the Rep—against Mamdani. Much like most votes for Biden were driven by being anti-Trump, anti-Rep.
The Dem Demonization Strategy continues to work against all Reps in many Dem areas.
Thank you for the wishes for an easy fast. Now that Yom Kippur is over (here in Israel) I got to see the kind wishes. ?
In recent years I have wished people a *meaningful* fast – seems more in keeping with the day. An annual day of self reflection and breaking down our defenses is valuable.
Another appropriate wish is Gmar hatima tova – indicating roughly “May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.”
Moving right along now to the next holiday – Sukkot! ?